Little Faith, BIG SAVIOR (Matthew 14:22-33) laundry list of other achievements and records….He is Summit Church 11/28-29/2015 a Hall of Fame athlet e, but Not minus lots of failed Pastor Chris Green attempts. I’m not sure where Mr. Jordan stands in his walk spiritually…. I love this time of year! Football & Basketball are in full swing! And I love to keep up with talented But today we will look at a few Michael Jordan’s in players. the faith – the disciples, who failed over and over and over again, BUT they are in Heaven’s Hall of Fame – However, I must admit that one of my favorite NBA they left a legacy - because they placed their FAITH basketball players of all time – missed over 9,000 in SOMEONE BIGGER than themselves, BIGGER shots in his career, lost almost 300 games, and on 26 than their failures or successes, and most importantly occasions was entrusted to make the winning shot1 – BIGGER THAN their trials and hardships. and guess what - he missed! His name – Michael Jordan. He said, “I have failed over and over and We will see this clearly in the of Matthew, over again in my life. And this is why I succeed.” Chpt 14 today, go ahead and turn there.

Raise your hand if you think Michael Jordan is the We will witness a problem that we all face by default greatest player in our lifetime? If you didn’t raise your as humans –little faith, but we will see this problem of hand, you need to leave right now and go find me a little faith can be easily solved by faithfully trusting Patti Labelle sweet potato pie (they say its so good it an even BIGGER SAVIOUR – . will make you sing like Patti?) ….now back to MJ – this brother won a total of 6 NBA championships - 3 back to back – he retired, made Space Jam… came back and very quickly won 3 more championships back to back! That’s Bananas!!! – and he has a

1 50 Famously Successful People who Failed at First.

1 Matthew 14:22-33 Miracle stories like these often reveal 2 things: [22] Immediately he made the disciples get into the something about us & something about Jesus2 - in boat and go before him to the other side, while he other words - they encourage us to examine our dismissed the crowds. [23] And after he had hearts, while simultaneously deepening our dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by understanding of the gospel - the good news of Jesus. himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, [24] but the boat by this time was a long way So, what I want to do today is, highlight a few from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was observations from the text that we learn about us and against them. [25] And in the fourth watch of the compare these observations to what we learn about night he came to them, walking on the sea. [26] But Jesus. It is my prayer that you will be encouraged, when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they equipped, and empowered for the ministry God has were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried called all us to. out in fear. [27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” [28] Let’s look at the first comparison: And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” [29] He said, 1. We measure faith by our situation; Jesus “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on measures our faith by his sovereignty. the water and came to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he The text says in vs. 22 that “he made the disciples get cried out, “Lord, save me.” [31] Jesus immediately into the boat and go before him to the other side.” reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [33] And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 2 Thabiti Anyabwile on Miracles.

2 Then later that evening when they were a long way you is like chaos – while on a mission - a severe from the land – a storm came – the wind was against STORM has formed! them!3 You are not alone. Did you know that there are over This means that Jesus sent his disciples into a storm! 16 million thunderstorms in a year – nearly 2000 in As unnecessary as a storm may seem in our lives, progress at any given time.5 don’t assume that a storm means you are out of the will of God! 4 Literally and Metaphorically Storms are : • Scary - because they are so unpredictable, Can we press pause for a minute here, some of you create uncertainty. They are loud (they drown feel just like the disciples today - you are in your boat out normal sounds, they can drown our sense – in direct obedience to Jesus, yet everything around and reason), and ultimately can be life - threatening, or will try to destroy everything we believe. o For some of us, we feel the constant 3 From New American Commentary – Blomberg A storm reminiscent of 8:23–27 comes up suddenly, so that the pull of ambiguities in our lives– the disciples make very little progress on their journey. “Buffeted” is direction of our health, the direction of more literally tormented, a word that elsewhere can refer to demonic our finances, our jobs. This becomes…. hostility against people (Matt 8:6; Rev 9:5). So, as in 8:29, there may Frustrating because storms interrupt our be an occult element at work here. Normally the disciples would • have completed the lake crossing easily by now, even if they had journey, the mission at hand – these storms try waited a little while for Jesus at (cf. :45).56 The to redirect or misdirect us – it makes us angry. “considerable distance” of v. 24 is, literally, many stadia. One o Now, we are upset with our spouse, stadium equaled approximately six hundred feet. John says they have rowed twenty-five to thirty stadia (three to four miles), and the lake our child, our boss, our family – but, was approximately four to five miles wide. ultimately we are upset with God

4 Taken from “Strong from Start to Finish” by Pastor J.D. 5 http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101thunderstorms/ Greear

3 because we know he knows our [23] And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went situation. It also… up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening o Creates exhaustion – the disciples are came, he was there alone, rowing against the storm ––growing more weary in well-doing, you may be Where is Jesus after he sends his disciples in the tired today, tired of fighting against the storm? He is doing what is best for us – praying. wind, the waves – all the drama we all face on this planet. Remember, we don’t know what’s best, but Jesus always knows what’s best for us…nothing has ever In fact, somebody here today, all it took was one been out of God’s control - that’s what makes him storm and you walked away from his promises – sovereign! it’s time to come back! Jesus was praying THEN (in this narrative ) and he IS You yelled storm! But he graciously yells back praying Now.6 He intercedes for you at the right hand with sovereignty! What the storm destroyed, Jesus of our Father – that means he is pleading to God on can fix. He can heal. He can restore. It’s time to our behalf. He is our great high priest – he is not come home. unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but has been tempted in every way as we have, yet sovereign It is dangerous for all of us, when we begin to weigh over every storm in our life. in our faith – how does it add up, when we are struggling? Jesus is working this out for your good. Why? Because he knows how critical it is for you to become In our hearts - We are crying out – “God, where are more like him. you right now? Why am I in this Storm?”

Look at vs. 23 again. 6 Hebrews 7:25

4 Write this down: 2. When we are faithless; Jesus is Faithful. God is not just doing something TO you, he’s doing something IN you and THROUGH you. Quick Recap: So the disciples are in the middle of the storm, boat rocking, possibly thinking - we might not He’s a good, good Father. He is the ultimate Parent. make it through this one…and then it gets worst. And good parents sometimes don’t include their children in on every decision, but good parents only They see something that makes NO SENSE at all to make decisions that will ultimately benefit their the human eye – they see someone walking on water children, even when we can’t see it or comprehend it. in the middle of the storm – they were like – “Yep, we see dead people – , it’s a rap, we didn’t make it Ex. My children don’t always understand why my guys.” wife and I make them serve one another or clean up behind people that don’t necessarily deserve it, or Jesus immediately addresses their fear with his practice certain disciplines (like reading, prayer, presence and his WORD – just as God did the missions)– but what its developing in them and the Israelites in the wilderness – Jesus said – don’t be impact it will have on those in their sphere of afraid – instead, be confident because “It is I.” in influence is unmatched. others words – the were reminded that the “I AM” is present. Then commanded Peter to - Come! During the storm –focus on his Goodness, focus on the Cross – remember how great his Love is for you. Peter then took advantage of this measure of faith Focus on his mercy, his grace, his undying Jesus offered, and Peter began to walk on water to commitment to redeem you. Ultimately, it will shape Jesus. By faith, Peter walked to Jesus – using the this you and bless others around you. measure of faith - Jesus had previously given to all his disciples. Let’s look at the second comparison:

5 Here Peter recognized something that should be a 3. Some of you students, since you have expressed huge takeaway for all of us. your faith in Jesus to your peers, now you are uncomfortable as some people get hostile Write this down: about their belief systems – continue to walk on water with Jesus, God has you exactly where he The most comfortable place is not always the safest wants you – close enough to reach them. This is place. the safest place – in his will!

Another saying we have around Summit is – “Get It was much safer for Peter to be out in the middle of a comfortable with being uncomfortable.” raging sea with Jesus than to be out in the middle of a raging sea, on a “safe” boat without Jesus. Make no mistake: The safest place for you to be is in the will of God. Don’t’ get me wrong - That boat was a blessing from God, but Jesus clearly demonstrated he didn’t need Peter made an effort to simply follow & obey Jesus! the buoyancy of a boat to stay on top of the water.

1. Some of you SINGLE people here are Peter realized he was in the presence of the ONE who extremely uncomfortable living in obedience created to Wind, the Water, the Wood, and all the to Christ in a world that laughs at godly Weather – the Alpha and Omega, the Strong Tower standards – but keep walking on water, you are where we find safety and shelter. Jesus was praying in the safest place. and he is now Present in the midst of the storm – 2. Some of you work for a company that Ready to Save! appreciates your skills, but could care less about your faith – you are very uncomfortable But in classic Peter form…let’s look at vs. 30 at times – continue to walk on water and be salt again…. and light – you are in the safest place.

6 [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and Would you want to have little faith in the chair you beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” [31] are seated in? Your dentist? Your doctor? Your Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold lawyer? What about the person who prepares your of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did food? you doubt?” Your hair stylist? Now brothers, would you want to Fear and Doubt are our Default buttons as humans, have little faith in your barber? especially in trials. But we see that our Faithlessness I’m sorry, for a lot of us in the Black & Latino is trumped with Jesus’ immediate Faithfulness. community, this an area that we don’t toy around with, real talk – don’t mess my hairline up and don’t Our faith can’t save us, so it certainly can not sustain have my fade looking like it was an experiment. us, but the object of our Faith is forever & immediately there in our time of need. We will let you know quickly – you shouldn’t be a barber – you need to be a scientist or a meteorologist Jesus loves to Save, but he sharply rebukes his team – since you like to experiment and careers that allow when they have little faith. you to be unsure about your predictions! If you can’t get our hair right – there is no second chance – we are Let’s tackle this issue of little faith. fearful and doubtful - little faith.

What is little faith? Little faith is NOT faith at all In fact, according to the text – little faith equals (repeat). doubt. Jesus, said “Why did you doubt?” The greek word for doubt7 (distazo) suggests either we are trying This is why Jesus so quick to rebuke little faith. You would too. I’ll prove it. 7 . Cf. G. T. Montague (Companion God: A Cross-Cultural Commentary on the [New York: Paulist, 1989], 169–70): Peter sees the wind because he “no longer sees Jesus.” His “little faith” is “trust that falters out of fear.”

7 to go in 2 different directions simultaneously or it disciples and they would worry about the next concerns our effort to try and serve 2 different meal, a place to stay - we insult God with our masters… and when our faith becomes little, full of little faith because we watch God feed the birds doubt, and we see the WIND and no longer see Jesus (where I’m from we say his eye is on the – then the object of our faith, Jesus has to come sparrow), clothe flowers and grass but not care RESCUE us and RESTORE our Faith in him! about us? – Jesus rebukes this thought and reminds us - I’m bigger than your needs! I God is trying to show us, that our faith in him (not keep my promises, I’m faithful. Don’t be our abilities, not our strength) will give us the anxious. courage to go THROUGH our difficulties, not just AROUND difficulties….BECASUE HE IS WITH • In - Jesus is taking a nap in a boat US. during a storm - disciples cry out “Save us Lord, we are perishing.” He rebukes their little We see Jesus use this term “little faith” with his faith - He reminds us - I’m bigger than DISCIPLES - greek word is – oligopistos8 about 7 what’s trying to destroy you – even death times in the NT- failure to see beyond the mere can not destroy you, because I own death. surface of things – here it’s lacking confidence in Again, I will never leave you or forsake you, Christ. Everytime you read the words “Little faith” in I’m faithful. the text, Jesus redirects his followers to place their hope beyond their circumstance and into his character. • - The disciples can’t figure out why they were not able to heal a demon- • - Jesus knew that days would come possessed boy (this is not their first rodeo with when Little Faith would mentally creep into his demons either) - and Jesus explained it again - because of your “Little Faith” you have returned to the surface again & again & again - your faith is poor, shoddy and self-centered - 8 http://biblehub.com/greek/3640.htm

8 you have minimized me and maximized the “‘Welcome, child,” he said. difficulty - Remember, I’m BIGGER than any spiritual power you will face….above the “AsIan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.” earth, in the earth, and under the earth9 - Be obedient, repent, humble yourself, pray and “That is because you are older, little one,” answered let me be God. he.

“Not because you are?” That’s why you don’t need giant faith, you need genuine faith – a faith that is real, a faith that is “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me 10 centered in Jesus – a faith that forces you to be small bigger.” and for allows him to be big! How much do you need? Any amount will do…because this free gift is Church, the deeper we dig into the gospel, the more potent, it’s powerful, and it’s purposed around we will grow and have a deeper sense of how big bringing him the glory, especially when times are God is in our lives. difficult! We don’t overcome storms, trials and troubles by I am a C.S. Lewis fan – in the Chronicles of Narnia thinking about them less, we overcome them by series, Lewis helps us understand what faith in Jesus thinking about God more! Let him be bigger. looks like - through they eyes of Lucy. Here is our final comparison:

Lucy has gotten older and has not seen Aslan (the ginormous Lion which represents God) in years. Listen to this conversation between Lucy and Aslan. 10 C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia The Chronicles of Narnia (1951, this edition Harper Collins, 1994) 141. 9 Philippians 2:10

9 3. Experiencing miracles are great; but Jesus is 3 things we notice about Miracles: Greater. • Miracles, though they point us to Jesus, don’t guarantee worship of Jesus. We appreciate the The most important point about miracles in the miracle but fail to acknowledge the miracle is that they point beyond the miracles themselves. 11 maker. We love the created things, but fail to They point to Jesus. worship the Creator. • It is impossible to please God without believing Paul breaks this down very candidly to our family in him12 - trusting him. In John 20, a resurrected the Corinthian Church - he sums up the has to show a doubting disciple his hands the past in Exodus: and side before he believes – and Jesus told him you believed because you have seen me – but Let’s read this quickly. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.13 (1 Corinthians 10:1-5 ESV) • Jesus is has always been the focal point, not the [1] For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that miracle itself– the Rock was Jesus! The miracle our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed was great, but even back in the OT, it was through the sea, [2] and all were baptized into Moses pointing us forward to the Person - Jesus, who in the cloud and in the sea, [3] and all ate the same is Greater. spiritual food, [4] and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. [5] If the goal of the miracle was to for Peter to walk Nevertheless, with most of them God was not on water the rest of his life - it was an epic fail pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. because Jesus stop walking on water and got into the boat too! 11 Eric Metaxas, Miracles: What they Are, Why they Happen, and How they can Change your Life. (Dutton, 2014). 12 Hebrews 3:17-19 Chapter 7on Biblical Miracles. 13 John 20:29

10 Watch this - It’s not that Peter was walking on is both adoration and action.14 The disciples not only water, as it was him walking on the promises of adored Jesus, they gave their entire lives to his God….not him just standing on the waves, but mission and ministry. standing on the character of Jesus. Does your adoration & actions reflect a devotion to Jesus? Is he truly at the Center of your life? Your This is one of our most distinguishing characteristics home, your friendships, your finances, your marriage, as Christians, we DON’T believe that - Our Faith your parenting. Is it worship? itself can Save us or Sustain us, rather - The object our faith, Jesus, the person, graciously SAVES us Summit Church - What we saw happen in this boat, and he continues to SUSTAINS us in this life. one day, we will see the entire Universe do - Bow Down and Worship our King. Read the last 2 verses in this passage. Write this final observation down. [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [33] And those in the boat worshiped him, Salvation is the means, but Worship is the Goal. saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Before we can Worship God, he has to SAVE US. He Salvation has a way to help us realize where our focus accomplished this through his son Jesus. His name should be, doesn’t it? It would be extremely arrogant literally means – God Saves. to show no sign of appreciation to SOMEONE that just saved your life. How do we show this Band vamps here: appreciation – we worship. What is worship? Worship

14 John M. Frame Worship in Spirit & Truth; A Refreshing study of the principles and practice of biblical worship. (P&R Publishing, 1996). Pg. 11.

11 Only when you taste and see of this grace, will you • He has your best interest in mind, even in the worship him. storm. Stop evaluating your faith by your circumstances and rest in his goodness and Listen, Jesus did not only come into the storm to mercy. Minimize the storm, and maximize the save us, he TOOK into himself the storm of God’s Saviour. wrath. • When our faith is faltering, remember he is Faithful. You don’t have to be strong in your He not only walked on top of the waves, but soared might, but be strong in the Lord and the power above our worst enemies – SIN & DEATH through of his might. 15 the power of his resurrection. • He desires to save NOW, heal NOW, and redeem NOW, but he wants something better And I know, that if he reached all the way down to for us, something greater for us, and something hell to rescue me from my sin, my arrogance, my bigger for us than this life – it’s an eternity in pride, my lust, my bitterness, my anger – then I his presence. Jesus is not just a means to an end KNOW he will help me when I sink and I start to – he is the means and the end. stumble and my faith becomes little. Will you trust him right now? Let’s pray. And if he reached out to me when I was his ENEMY, I KNOW he will CERTAINLY reach out to me now that I’m his son.

If you haven’t placed your trust in Jesus – now is the time.

15 Adopted from “Strong from Start to Finish” by Pastor J.D. Greear

12 wayward teachings – with them being the most Bullpen: influential teachers in their context. Jesus reminds us - I’m bigger than any earthly A.W. Tozer: authority in your life, be bold.

Unbelief says: Stop asking God to FIRST to fix the situation and ask Some other time, but not now; him what his command is? In Peter’s struggle, Jesus some other place, but not here; gave him a command - COME. some other people, but not us. Faith says: This is a picture or a microchosm of Peter’s life and of Anything He did anywhere else He will do here; ours. anything He did any other time He is willing to do o As a christian we started well, but the now; “storms” of life have us sinking anything He ever did for other people He is willing to § ex. I got baptized last Easter, but do for us! …. With our § I stopped drinking for a month, feet on the ground, but…. and our head cool, but with our heart ablaze with the love of God, Why did they worship, because he saved them - yes! we walk out in this fullness of the Spirit, if we will and they realized what the psalmist said in Psalm 94 - yield and obey. When I said, my foot is slipping you steadfast love, o lord, supported me. • - Jesus warns them of the “yeast” of the , and their “little perception” Despite my little, despite my fears, despite my kicks in again, because they thought he meant circumstance - despite my faithlessness - great is your literal bread and he was speaking of their faithfulness! Morning by morning, new mercies I sing!

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